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Click for previous Image Image 1 of 4 Spiraea betulifolia White Spirea

Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor'

White Spirea

Plant Type:

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS

Spiraea betulifolia ‘Tor’ – This is a truly wonderful small mounding Birchleaf Spirea. I had read about it for years and was fortunate enough to finally collect cuttings from shrubs planted at the University of Connecticut, Storrs campus. Emerging from purple buds in late spring/early summer small flower clusters packed with white florets set among leaf axils like popcorn. The shrub remains handsome all through the growing season densely cloaked in pretty and very clean looking green to blue-green leaves which remind me of the foliage of Betula pumila. The leaves turn glowering purple, red, gold and copper in the autumn - a standout in the fall garden. This is a great little shrub for filler, in the foundation garden, as a step down to medium-sized evergreens or lining a walkway as a low hedge. Site ‘Tor’ in full to nearly full sun planted in any good draining soil.


Height:

36-48 in

Spread:

36-48 in

Colors:

White

Zone:

(3b)4 to 6
What is my hardiness zone?

Characteristics and Attributes for Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor'

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Late Spring / Early Summer

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring / Summer / Autumn

Autumn Interest

  • Autumn Leaf Color

Nature Attraction

  • Deer Resistant

Light

  • Full Sun
  • Mostly Sunny

Attributes

  • Shrub Border
  • Border
  • Hedge
  • Edging
  • Hedgerow
  • Massing
  • Rock Garden
  • Labyrinth
  • Heath / Peat Garden

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Medium

Soil

  • Draining
  • Fertile

Origins

  • North America

Propagated By

  • Cutting Grown

Genus Overview: Spiraea

Common Name: Spirea

Spireas are useful shrubs of easy temperament. Making terrific fillers, hedgers and many fantastic foundation shrubs they are renowned for their toughness. They can down face taller shrubs and conifers and are versatile enough to be easily worked into herbaceous gardens where they will provide year round structure. Many are of Asian origin but we have also some fine New World counterparts. Most are happier in more sun. And though drought tolerant they will be more content in fertile conditions. All of the following are cutting grown.